Utah 2009: Day 7

Here is the last day of our week long trip to Utah. We kept the last day more low-key. We made sure to have plenty of time to play with play dough. Ava could of stayed at the table all day if we let her.


We made sure to fit in one more walk. The views of the mountains are just gorgeous. Everytime we would go for a drive, Ava would excitedly point out all the mountains and then exclaim, "We've got to go through it!" (taken from one of her favorite books, Going on a Bear Hunt)


Reid loves going on walks. I love getting to put his beanie on. He's just too cute!


We had a good time one our vacation. Thanks John and Shelby for a wonderful time! We can't wait till our next trip.

Utah 2009: Day 6

On Monday the weather cooled way down, which made it the perfect day to take advantage of Kangaroo Zoo. Which is an indoor bouncing place. Ava was in love the moment we walked inside.


My heart skips a beat everytime I look at this picture. This little girl has no fear! She had no problem climbing up. But don't worry, everytime she climbed up one of these enormously steep stairs I was standing right behind her...just in case.


If you are ever in the Utah area you have to take your kids here. Ava just loved it.

(If you cannot view the video go to our website)

On our way out she told us that she was tired and she needed to take a nap. It was only noon. Music to any Mom's ears!

Utah 2009: Day 5

Sadly, after lunch on Sunday we had to say goodbye to this little fellow. It did make it a little easier knowing that we would get to see him again in just over two months.


On Sunday we tried to fit in a more formal photo shoot, but none of the kids were having it. Here's my best shot of the kiddos.


I just love this pic. I love how Reid looks like a little man in this pic and how you are able to see his little hair fuzz sticking striaght up in the back.


It isn't going to be much longer before Reid is going to be mobile. Look how well he's holding himself up already. This little boy is strong.


I'm such a lucky lady to have these boys in my life!

Utah 2009: Day 4

We spent most of the day watching conference. But of course we had to sneak in a few photo ops. Ahem. I must admit, I kinda went photo crazy.


But who can blame me when you have a cutie like this!


I guess Jared and Krys are cute too :)


I love this photo of Jared and Cole. Those overalls are darling and Cole's expression is so dang cute.


I have been known to swap a few faces from different pics to make the perfect picture. But I am happy to say I didn't have to do it in this shot. I still can't believe that we got everyone looking at the camera in the first shot. Ava's even smiling.


During the break between Saturday's conference session, we decided to go on a walk. The weather was perfect.


Krysten keeps thinking that she's taller than me. I completely disagree. I'm taller. She just look taller because her hair is curly.


Awwww. Who knew Utah could be such a romantic place :)


Ava loved all of the sunflowers that were blooming.


We decided that we needed to get one for Nana.


Ava and Reid adore their Nana.


Reid especially loved it when Nana would growl at him. No joke. He still giggles anytime any of us make a growling noise. He's such a boy!


Reid would get the biggest smile on his face whenever Shelby came over to pick him up.



After the afternoon session, the boys were off to the priesthood session. The lucky ducks actually scored some tickets at the conference center. While they were gone it left all us girls (plus Reid and Cole) to do whatever we wished. Which of course was to take more pictures.

Here's my best shot of trying to get all three cousins lined up on the floor.


Ha! Now Cole knows how it feels to be Reid.


I wonder who Reid learned this from? Reid would want nothing to do with any given toy UNTIL it was given to Cole. Then he found it irresistible. Other things Reid found irresistible: Cole's ear, Cole's head, and Cole's hand. We actually found Reid sucking on Cole's hand a few times. I guess he must of seen Cole sucking on it and decided that looks good!


Here's Ava trying to entertain the masses.


I think Cole was having a good time with his cousins.


This little boy loves to be upside down. When he's sitting on our lap, we've got to make sure we have a good grip on him because he's been known to fling himself backwards so he'll be upside down.


By the end of the day Ava was trying to take pics herself. By the end of the weekend she figured out how to take pictures without her finger on the lens!


By the end of the photo shoot, this is how Ava retaliated.

Reid's method of retaliation.


Cole decided to just to go to sleep. I think my kiddos seriously wore that kid out.


We even wore out the energizer bunny, aka Ava. This is a first, but she actually fell asleep at the dinner table.

Utah 2009: Day 3

We spent most of the day at Josh's parents house, except for a quick trip up to the Park City Outlets. Later that night we were planning on taking the kids to Josh's mission reunion. But that was before Ava got carsick on the drive home from Park City. Poor little girl. By the time we got home we decided it would be best just to take it easy.

Here's Ava and Grandpa chillin' on the couch waiting for the BYU game to start.


Want to know a secret...


Reid secretly wants to become a jedi. Hold on, doesn't red mean Sith. Do I seriously know that little Star Wars tidbit? Ugh. Anyways, Reid was dazzled by the lightsaber and couldn't stop trying to suck on it.


Here are Reid and Ava playing before our guests arrived later that night.


My sister, her husband Jared and my nephew Cole made the drive down from ID to see us. YIPPEE! Cole and Reid are just over a week apart. Sadly I haven't gotten to see my nephew. Isn't that horrible? Reid is 4 inches taller than Cole. We couldn't wait to lay them side by side.

Utah 2009: Day 2

I've been wanting to cut Ava's hair for some time now. Her ends were starting to get a little stringy and I've been dying to see how she'd look with a bob. So after calling a few sisters in the ward, Shelby tracked down a place that would see us that morning. Yes!

Here's the before:


Here's the after:


I can't believe how much older she looks now. She definitely does not look like a baby anymore.


Anyone else experiencing a canned pumpkin shortage? I have been wanting to make this recipe for the past month. Everytime I've gone to the store to get a can of pumpkin, the shelves were empty. But that was not the case in Utah! I whipped up a batch of muffins that night. I totally recommend making these muffins. They are finger licking good!


Here is a pic of my favorite little guy. Reid turned 5 months at the end of Sept. I can't believe we'll be starting him on solids at the end of this month.

Utah 2009: Day 1

This past week we packed the fam up and flew out to Utah. Josh and I have been looking forward to this vacation for months. Doesn't a entire week to enjoy the crisp fall air, see the fall colors, and spending time with the fam sound wonderful? Oh wait, I forgot to add eat at Cafe Rio!

We weren't the only ones excited for our vacation. Ava has been telling anyone who'd listen that she'd be flying on an airplane to see Nana. Here she is stuffing her face with yummy snacks while looking at her princess sticker book.


Here's Reid on his very first flight.


The flight just happened to take off around the same time Reid usually takes a nap. The turbulence actually put Reid to sleep.